cover image The Griffin's War

The Griffin's War

K.J. Taylor, Ace, $7.99 mass market (448p) ISBN 978-0-441-02010-2

Taylor brings the Fallen Moon trilogy to a satisfying conclusion with a chronicle of pitched battles and political intrigue. A week after the events at the end of The Griffin's Flight, Arenadd Taranisaii—blackrobe destroyer of the Eyrie of Eagleholm, former free Northerner, former slave, and reluctant antihero—sits in a dungeon singing like a madman. Torture is useless against him, as he is kraeai kran ae, a man without a heart. Dedicating himself to the Night God, deity of his ancestors, Arenadd gains the frightening power to move unseen through shadow. He escapes to lead his people in war against the Southern oppressors while fearing that he has given himself up to an ultimately uncaring god. Strong, realistic characterizations and an intricately conceived milieu make it clear that Australian Taylor is a talent to watch. (Mar.)